Bhubaneswar: The Higher Education Department of Odisha organised a sensitisation workshop on the Odisha Vision Document 2036 and 2047, themed Vikshit Odisha for Vikshit Bharat, for Vice Chancellors, college Principals, and Regional Directors of Education. The event was graced by Higher Education Minister Suryabanshi Suraj as Chief Guest.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister underscored the decisive role of higher education institutions in achieving the ambitious targets of Vikshit Odisha 2036 and Vikshit Bharat 2047. He outlined four key parameters identified in the Vision Document: raising the Gross Enrolment Ratio (GER) to 50 per cent by 2036 and 60 per cent by 2047, promoting gender parity and inclusion of students from backward sections, enhancing graduate employability, and expanding institutional infrastructure.
The plan envisions two higher education institutions in every block and at least one Multidisciplinary Education and Research University in each district by 2047, alongside ensuring two Odisha institutions rank among the world’s top 500 universities by 2036.
Suraj emphasised that coordinated efforts across universities and colleges are essential to realise inclusive growth. He highlighted inclusion-oriented measures such as 11.25 per cent reservation for SEBC students in admissions and the Cabinet’s approval of the Odisha State Public Universities (Reservation in Teachers’ Cadre) Bill, 2025, which seeks to establish a uniform reservation framework for faculty recruitment.
The Minister also referred to the Videsh Sikhshya Bruti Scheme, under which SC and ST students from families with annual incomes below Rs12 lakh are eligible for scholarships of up to ₹50 lakh over two years to pursue higher studies abroad.
“Education for all and higher education for all is our goal. The academic community will play a decisive role in realising the vision of Vikshit Odisha 2036 and Vikshit Bharat 2047,” Shri Suraj reiterated.
Commissioner-cum-Secretary of the Higher Education Department, Arvind Agrawal, presented an overview of ongoing initiatives and guided Vice Chancellors and Principals on strategies to achieve the outlined targets. The programme also featured addresses by senior officials, including Additional Secretaries Dharanidhar Nanda and Shri Dhirendra Nath Kar.
